Video Message
Transcript

To my princess, my dearest apo, Emilia.

Hi my sweet one.

See this right now? I just got back from a date with you and your gentleman. Your old man is the happiest seeing that bright sparkle in your eyes. You look so happy today, you remind me so much of your lola because she used to smile at me in the same way. The way your lola looked at me before is the exact same way you look at this gentleman now.

Everytime I see you, I get more and more convinced that out of our children and grandchildren, it is you who inherited all of Lydia's goodness, kindness, and love the most.

You have grown to be the woman your lola would be proud of.

But of all my apos, you worry me the most. Lydia and I used to talk so much about how you've always tried your best to hide your loneliness, even when you were just a little girl. I will not sugarcoat it. As her father, I cannot cover up the fact that your mother and Lio made the wrong decisions and you, apo, suffered the most for it. Your lola and I have always worried how it would affect you. We know it hurt you but you always covered it up with a smile. You were strong like that.

It was painful for us to watch because you were so young then. You shouldn't have gone through that and if we could take all the pain, we would have. We wanted nothing but happiness for you, apo.

Your gentleman and I had a talk earlier.

He reassured me that you are in good hands. You don't know how relieved your lolo is to hear that. I'm happy to see you happy and settled.

I'm weak now, apo. I'm old and sick and I feel it in my bones that your lola is finally calling for me. I'm leaving soon. I feel it.

I don't know when I can finally see her again. But I'm ready. I can't wait to be with your lola.

But I know I won't be able to leave peacefully because I keep thinking of you. I don't want to leave you alone.

Knowing that someone is already here for you pacifies me deeply. It's all a grandfather can ever ask for.

He loves you. He told me so.

I see it in your eyes that you love him.

But I know you, apo. I know your fear and your reservations. I know how scared you are to make the wrong decisions. Even back then, you've always been careful and wary of the future.

I am leaving you this message for this reason. I know you are wondering what this is for.

If anything were to happen to me, I don't want to leave you behind without fixing what your mother has wronged. It is my failure as her father that her marriage turned sour and ruined all your hopes for a good one. It is my duty as your lolo to impart to you one last gift, one that I've learned through the years I've loved your lola.

If you are happy now, my prayer is for your happiness to stand long and true, like how my love for you has always stood long and true.

But should you ever find yourself in the crossroads once again, like that one time you reached out to me which I remember too well, it is my hope that this one last gift from your lolo, should you be willing, be able to help your gentle heart.

Apo...

Milly...

If you are still unsure of yourself, if the same questions you asked me then still hold true for you even now, then let me share this with you, my love.

To love someone means you must learn how to be loved, apo.

But to be loved, you must first choose to love.

Do not be afraid of it. It is not what you think it is.

I know your parents failed to show you what it really means to love someone but that doesn't mean it does not exist. That you are not capable of it.

Because you are. You have so much love to give and I am the witness of that.

Do not depend your happiness on the failures of others. Pursue your own happiness. Do not let this fear take you away from what you are meant to be.

You will forge your own path in life.

You are not Elisse and Lio.

You are Milly, my apo, the most loving person I know.

Your relationship doesn't need to be what theirs have been. It also doesn't need to be what mine has been. You can make your own.

You are not your mother. He is not your father.

And my love, trust me.

You are so much better than what you think you are.

Your beloved worries that you think so little of your heart.

He's a good man because he sees what I've always seen. A kind heart that knows no ill will, only selflessness.

My hope is you get to see what we see in you.

Magmahal ka, apo.

Nang malaya.

Nang walang agam-agam.

Nang walang takot.

The world is so much more than what your parents have showed you.

Do not miss the chances where you can be happy.

Do not let fear dictate what your life should be.

You can do it.

Your lola and I believe in you.

Trust in your heart because we do.

If, by the time you see this, I am already sick or gone.

Remember.

Your lola and I will always love you. I know how her passing has left you in bruises. But I hope mine would not.

Because I will be with your lola. So don't be sad anymore, okay? No more of those crying. Show me that smile. You know how much I love that. Remember us in your lola's flowers, in that piano you loved but I never learned to do. Remember us but only briefly.

Continue to live your life only looking ahead. Sing. Go out. Have fun. Travel. Make music. Love. Do all that your heart desires. Celebrate this day and the next. That is all this one would ever want.

I love you, my Milly.

My apo.

I may not be with you anymore, but I will always love you.